June
25, 2006 - After
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Bioware set
its sights on the Far East, using ancient Chinese
history and legend as the inspiration behind its Jade
Empire last year. For the next generation, however,
Bioware has its sights set on outer space in a completely
unique and original universe with Mass Effect, a hybrid
Action/Adventure/RPG set to release on Xbox 360. Having
seen this title in action thus far, it is hard not
to be excited about its prospects.

Bioware
Community Manager at Bioware Jay Watamaniuk presented
the demonstration behind closed doors at the Electronic
Entertainment Expo. In opening our demo, he likened
the graphics of this title to a Science Fiction
painting brought to life, and we can honestly
attest that this is an awfully close description.

The
presentation began with the players ship docking
at the Citadel Spacestation in search of some answers
about a threat they are investigating. Facial animations
are detailed realistically and reflect the emotions
of the different characters in conversation better
than the actual dialog. Watching the character models
were distracting when trying to focus on the rest
of the preview, namely the revamped dialog and morality
system that Bioware has implemented.

In
this new universe that Bioware has constructed, SPECTRE
agents are responsible for the continued safety of
the galaxy through whatever means necessary. Unlike
KoToR or Jade Empire, the threat against the galaxy
is clearly evil, but choices made in combating this
evil will affect humankinds image in the galaxy.
Brash and irrational reactions to various NPCs can
cause difficulty in coaxing later interactions, while
overly calm players may have to deal with tricksters
trying to talk their way out of confrontations. This
entire system is built not on the actual text used
in a conversation, but on the choices that express
emotion in the dialog. Choosing Ive had
enough of this conversation from a menu may
lead to the character pulling a piston and threatening
violence, so caution is vital in making any decision.

Along
with this dynamic sense of existence, Bioware promises
to provide an expansive galaxy bigger than were
used to exploring. There will literally be hundreds
of locations to visit, including derelict ships, space
stations, and various planets, each with their own
opportunities for interactions and dialog. How many
of these locations will be side-quests and how many
will be involved in the main story, however, has yet
to be seen.

There
will be, of course, combat in Mass Effect and it will
consist of futuristic gunplay mixed with tactical
elements. For the demonstration, the main character
and his squad were taken down a corridor where they
were ambushed by a group of synthetics.
After quickly dispatching the attackers, they continued
into a wide chamber that contained destructible bridges
and objects to help eliminate a larger group of hostiles
quickly.

With
this talk of destructible objects and squad tactics,
Watamaniuk made it a point to state, Mass Effects
main focus is the storyline. It is not an action
title with RPG elements, but the other way around.
In order to ensure action doesnt clutter the
experience, combat has been simplified by allowing
a lock-on feature with the various weapons. The world
itself will not break when fired upon, as is the trend
in action games of late, but destructible items will
be placed in various environments to allow tactical
engagements. Also, the AI scripted in the support
characters is strong enough that you would never have
to worry about their safety before your own. In fact,
squad-mates will only an asset as they can be ordered
to take up flanking positions and begin firing, instead
of being a liability by taking fire in the open or
running straight at the enemy.

Using
the newest Unreal Engine, Bioware has promised that
the main character will be highly customizable, giving
options on sex, skin tone, size, and facial features.
In addition, Watamaniuk hinted that multiplayer options
are being discussed for the games final release.
The first in a proposed trilogy, Mass Effect is slated
to appear on Xbox 360 within the next year at this
time.

Features:

Incredible
science-fiction RPG with a rich, engaging story
line. On a distant planet an amazing discovery is
made. Players must determine the fate of humanity
as they lead an elite tactical strike force in an
effort to stop an entity so malevolent that it threatens
to tear apart the very fiber of galactic civilization.
Mass Effect will take players to new
depths for an action-RPG, where, unlike in most
RPGs, they will be faced with morally complex decisions
that have significant impact on the fate of all
life in the galaxy. Players must succeed in their
quest  no matter what the cost.

Exploring
uncharted worlds and uncovering a mystery that defies
imagination. In addition to the main story arc of
the game, players will be able to visit a large
number of uncharted, unexplored planets that are
side quests independent from the main story. At
any time during the campaign, a player can choose
to explore one of these planets and have an opportunity
to discover new alien life, resources, ruined civilizations
and powerful technologies.

Real-time,
squad-based combat. Mass Effect features
a real-time, squad-based tactical combat system.
Players will enjoy intense, challenging and exciting
third-person action and squad-based combat. Players
and their squad-mates will be able to engage the
enemy with ranged weapons and covering fire, biotic
powers and science-based magic, and technological
powers  all of which will be accompanied by
amazing visual and physics effects that will add
tremendous excitement and drama to the battlefield.
Whether they use powerful biotic powers or the latest
in military hardware, players will be well-equipped
to take on whatever comes their way

Credible
digital actors. Mass Effect will feature
a huge cast of incredibly realistic nonplayer characters,
enemies and party members. Each of the characters
encountered will have realistic facial and body
movements. A revolutionary advanced dialogue and
AI system gives them engaging personalities, creating
individuals so realistic they will seem like the
first true digital actors ever seen
in a video game. The resulting experience is one
in which players will feel as if they are part of
a rich, living world.

Character
customization and deep role-playing systems. Players
will be able to choose from and customize a variety
of stunning, photo-realistic character appearances
at the start of the game, and can increase various
statistics that will affect their performance during
gameplay. The reward system in Mass Effect
is deep, well-integrated and extremely engaging.
New equipment, weapons and armor that are acquired
during the course of the story will change the appearance
of the characters.

Mass
Effect will give players a huge breadth of
additional customization options for their characters,
weapons and vehicles. Talents and abilities will
be upgradeable, and advanced talent options will
become available at higher levels. Weapons and vehicles
will be customizable to include various effects,
abilities and upgrades. Each character class will
have unique talents and abilities that will increase
in power as players progress through the game.

Next-generation
gaming defined. Mass Effect takes full
advantage of the hardware of Xbox 360, providing
players with exciting new experiences, including
photo-realistic, high-definition graphics on an
epic scale, and amazingly realistic characters who
bring the world alive. Players will be immersed
in a massive universe of unbelievable scale, meet
characters who feel real and, most important, interact
with them in ways that have never been possible
before. As the future of gaming goes online, premium
downloadable content and recognition of achievements
will be available via the Xbox Live® online
game service.